WHAT IS AET?

The core of the VictorY!'s training is the Adult Education & Training (AET) programmes - previously known as ABET - or Adult Basic Education & Training. The AET programmes lay a foundation not only in academic skills, but in life skills, higher order thinking and creative skills. It builds confidence and create an environment of success, which boost the learners self-image and confidence to tackle higher levels of learning, self improvement and broadening of general knowledge. The VictorY! AET programmes are effective from the young age of 10 to the age of 110+, as it is not a "childish" training programme, but also not so academic that the learner feels lost or even stupid.

There is a misconception that when we talk about A(B)ET training, we are only referring to English Literacy & Numeracy training, but this is not true. There is a wide range of training falling under the AET umbrella, covering Life Skills, Business Etiquette, Financial Understanding, General Business Skills, Entrepreneurial Skills, Computer Skills & Technology Skills.

If we consider the following statistics taken from the kha ri gude website (which is currently down - June 2016) it is very clear that we have a massive backlog in education in the country and ABET is the first stepping stone to overcome this. Yes, you are right, we are unashamedly very passionate about building education or learning foundations where ever we can.

Literacy and basic education levels of South Africans aged 15 and over

Level of educationFull general education (grade 9 and more)Less than full general education (less than grade 9)None to less than grade 7No schooling

1996 General Population Census13.1 million (50%)13.2 million (50%)8.5 million (32%)4.2 million (16%)

2001 General Population Census15.8 million (52%)14.6 million (48%) - an increase since 19969.6 million (32%) - an increase since 19964.7 million (16%) - an increase since 1996

For a more in depth study read the paper John Aitchison and Anne Harley that can be downloaded on the left: "South African illiteracy statistics and the case of the magically growing number of literacy and ABET learners"

What is ABET?

For official purposes, the Department of Education has defined ABET as follows:Adult basic education and training is the general conceptual foundation towards lifelong learning and development, comprising of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for social, economic and political participation and transformation applicable to a range of contexts. ABET is flexible, developmental and targeted at the specific needs of particular audiences and, ideally, provides access to nationally recognised certificates.

Has ABET been successful In Africa?

The answer is NO. We are no nearer to eradicating illiteracy than we were in the early 1990s. HOWEVER, if organisations stop treating AET as ABET | School | a waste of time, but start treating it with the value it adds to the learner and the organisations life, then training will be far more successful and valuable - to both the learners and the organisation.

Who needs ABET?

Low levels of demand, occasional responsiveness to programmes that touch the nerve of need, high drop out rates of learners and educators, all suggest that the felt need for ABET falls far below the figures for those who might be thought to need ABET.There are probably between 3 and 4 million adults who can scarcely write their names and addresses. But these adults are generally older women in rural areas with little need for literacy. Their limited literacy needs are satisfied by networks of communication, and they may well experience others’ view that they need literacy as intrusive. However, they have knowledge, information and, above all, access needs. "Literacy" is valued when it is linked to assistance with things like home care for AIDS sufferers, or caring for orphaned grandchildren, reading the bible, or securing pensions more easily.

Far closer to a felt need for ABET are the adults with inadequate formal education. Since many industries despair of the entry skills of those with School leaving Certificates, the idea of inadequate formal education is problematic. However, if the figure for those with less than eight years schooling is taken as a guide for ABET need, then there are at least 7 million adults in this category. There are, predictably, higher proportions of adults in this category in the poorest provinces (Eastern Cape, KZN, Limpopo), but even in the best favoured educationally – the Western Cape – there is still a high number. Gender distribution is fairly equal overall, with more women at potential levels of need in rural areas, and more men in urban areas. The strongest felt need is probably among urban and informal settlement work seekers, or among workers eager to gain greater job security. Both of these groups are almost certain to prioritise hard skills rather than "ABE".

ABET Educators are the key

A study of the relevant literature has revealed that the literacy tutor is the single most important factor in the success of the programme.[Source: Wydeman, JL and Kamper, GD. 1990. A literacy development strategy for South Africa: Possibilities and limitations. HSRC]

Adult educators need to understand the cognitive processes by which people become literate and must be able to use a variety of approaches appropriately.[Source: Motala,S. 1992. The Training of educators for adult basic education in South Africa – some current issues and policy implications. Paper prepared by NEPI ABE sub-group]

Adult literacy educators must be properly trained

Skills required by ABET practitioners have been negotiated, documented and formalized into national qualifications and unit standards

Nationally recognised qualifications and unit standards for ABET Practitioners have been produced at NQF levels 4,5 and 6. these have been widely endorsed and were formally registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in October 2000 by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).[Source: See SAQA website: www.saqa.org.za]

It is the base from which all staff can build their business skills, higher order thinking skills and broaden their general knowledge, making for a better workforce.

The VictorY! Facilitators

We have five prerequisites for all our facilitators:

Passion for the subject

Passion for training

Passion for developing learners

A creative spirit that embraces the Ali Unique philosophy

Confidentiality is essential

Skills, methodology, administrative support & all the rest can be taught, but this has to come from the heart.

The VictorY! Facilitators do not have to be trained assessors or moderators, as we train them fully in all our AET training programmes, but it is an advantage in the training room.

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Thank you for contcat us. Please could you be as specific as possible about what it is you are inquiring so that we can give you the best service possible. We have a 24hour turn around time during the week - but are closed over weekends. Wishing you a wonderful day. The Ali Team